Michael Coll was announced as the new women's soccer head coach on Thursday.

April 19, 2012

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
Michael Coll has been named the head women's soccer coach at UNLV, Director of Athletics Jim Livengood announced Thursday.

Coll comes to Las Vegas from Penn State, where he was an assistant coach for the women's soccer program for the past eight years. During his tenure on the Nittany Lions' staff, he helped guide the squad to five appearances in the NCAA Sweet 16, as well as a trip to the College Cup (national semifinals) in 2005. Penn State claimed eight straight Big Ten championship titles during Coll's tenure in Happy Valley.

"Michael is the perfect head coach for our women's soccer program during this time of transition", said Livengood. "His background, experience and complete understanding of the student-athlete experience will be a great fit here at UNLV. Michael and (wife) Katie will be a great asset to the Las Vegas community. We are very excited to have them join the Rebel family."

"Obviously, I want to express my gratitude to Jim Livengood, (Senior Associate Athletics Director) Lisa Kelleher and the entire search committee for this exciting opportunity," said Coll. "The student-athletes have tremendous pride in the university and I'm honored to be their new coach, and eager to get started."

While at Penn State, Coll was the recruiting coordinator for the Nittany Lions, as well as handling all other aspects of the team, including individual and team training, scouting and game preparation, video analysis, alumni relations, and running the camp and clinic programs for PSU. Coll served under head coach Erica Walsh for the past five years at Penn State, and took on added responsibilities during the past few years when Walsh was named as assistant coach for the U.S. National Team in 2008, a position she still currently holds.

"Michael has played a huge role in the success of the Penn State women's soccer program for over a decade," said Walsh. "He is a proven winner and one of the hardest working coaches in the business. I want to think him for his commitment and dedication to making us all better on a daily basis. Michael and Katie have been a wonderful part of the Penn State community and I wish them the best of luck in this next stage in their lives."

Prior to joining the PSU staff, Coll was the head coach for the women's soccer program at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa., during the 2001-03 seasons. Coll began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the men's program at Penn State, where he was on the staff from 1997-2000.

A four-year starter for Penn State, Coll was a two-time all-conference selection and earned all-region honors for the Nittany Lions. A native of Derry, Ireland, he represented his country at the World University Games in 1993 (USA), 1995 (Japan) and in 1997 (Italy). Coll received a bachelor of science degree in exercise and sport science from Penn State in 1997, and a master's degree in education from Saint Francis in 2004. He holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) premier diploma, advanced national and national diploma's from the NSCAA, and a Irish Football Associate "C" License.

Coll becomes the fifth head coach in the program's history, and replaces Jennifer Klein, who resigned in March after two seasons. UNLV finished 2011 with an 8-10-3 record while reaching the Mountain West tournament semifinals for the second straight year. The Rebels will return eight starters from last year's squad.